Nine lifestyle habits of blue zone people you must know

A national geographic fellow, Dan Buettner studied the secrets of living longer across the globe. The result highlighted certain parts of the world like Greece, Japan, Costa Rica etc. where people live longer, happier & healthier; this eventually became a blue?zone.

Dan further explored with a team of medical researchers, anthropologists, demographers, and epidemiologists and found some evidence-based common habits among these people & places.

1.?? Keep Moving: The world’s longest-lived people don’t go to gym, run marathons, or join Zumba classes. They naturally move throughout the day; because their lifestyle has minimum amenities for comfort like the home?delivery system we have. Walking to the grocery store, taking stairs are something you can include in your daily life.

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2.?? Choose your people: In Okinawa, Japan they create friend of five that stay committed to one another throughout life. A positive social circle not only brightens your day, but also keeps you healthier. Many researchers have found that loneliness, obesity & some other lifestyle diseases are contagious. So, choose your people carefully & live longer & happier.

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3.?? Have a purpose: ?Be it Japan’s IKIGAI or Plan –De –Vida of Nicoya’s; it has a purpose of life. They start their day with questions like; “Why do I wake up? What am I up to today? What are the things I want to accomplish today?” When you start your day with a reason, during the day you stay mindful and at the end of the day you have a sense of accomplishment.

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4.?? Eat 80%: People who live longer & healthier have consistent food habits; they stop eating when their stomach is 80% full. The lightest meal they eat is in the early evening and post that they don’t eat anything.

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5.?? Family First: People in the blue?zone keep their ageing parents & grandparents nearby or at home. Research has found that by doing so the chances of getting diseases go down for all family members. They also invest time & energy in being with their children in the most loving way possible.

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6.?? Social Service: Be it charity, religious faith, or community service, blue zone people ensure that they attend it at least four times a month. As per the facts it increases the life expectancy by 4-14 years.

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7.?? Happy Hours: Stress is inevitable & blue zone people are not immune to it. However, they have devised their happy hour practices carefully. Some practice praying with gratitude, some take an afternoon nap, some engage in their hobbies; soon it becomes routine for them. Medical research has linked these habits with lower inflammation & age-related diseases.

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8.?? The Diet: Even though there is not a single food that guarantees longevity, a healthy combination diet works effectively on health & happiness. Different blue zone people have developed their combination diet and stick to it for years. Most people in blue zone prefer nuts, beans, vegetables and eat meat in moderation such as four times a month.

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9.?? The Drink: Except the Adventists, blue zone people drink a glass or two of wine along with plant-based meals and it works well on them. The Adventists do not smoke or consume alcohol. They believe in water, seven glasses a day. According to them adequate?water keeps the arteries flowing and organs functional.

Reflect on your life & pick up some habits from the nine secrets that can make you live longer, happier & healthier.

Published earlier in the newspaper tabloid "The Desert Trail"